Reds fans to receive Spanish award

One of Spain's most prestigious sporting awards ceremonies will pay tribute to Liverpool supporters and their ongoing fight for Hillsborough justice on Monday night.

The Mundo Deportivo Sports Gala have dedicated their honour for 'best supporters' to Reds fans, in recognition of their campaign to reveal the truth about what happened at the tragedy in April 1989.

Margaret Aspinall, chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, who has fought relentlessly for justice for 24 years, will travel to Barcelona to collect the award on behalf of Liverpool supporters.

"I think it's great that the fans are being recognised for the support they have shown for the families and the campaign for justice for all these years," Margaret told Liverpoolfc.com.

"It's a lovely gesture and I'm honoured to collect the award on behalf of all our fans around the world.

"We saw with Mansfield's gesture to the 96 in January how people around the country are starting to realise what we have known for so long. This honour shows that people around the world are beginning to understand as well."

The award ceremony, organised by esteemed Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, is now in its 65th year.

The showpiece of each annual ceremony is the presentation made to the winners of best Spanish sportsman and sportswoman of the year.

However, there are 16 further awards handed out during the course of the night and one of them is for the best supporters from around the world in any sport.

The honour comes after a momentous year for Hillsborough campaigners. In September 2012, the Hillsborough Independent Panel released its report and laid bare the truths surrounding the disaster which claimed 96 lives.